Red Cross kicks off Holiday Mail for Heroes

Special thanks go out to IGS Energy, State Farm Insurance, Giant Eagle and to Monica Morgan Whitehead, in memory of LTC Rollin E. Morgan.

Posted October 31, 2013, Columbus, OH

The American Red Cross’ seventh annual Holiday Mail for Heroes, the campaign to send messages of encouragement and gratitude to US service men and women, is underway now. Last year, nearly two million cards were distributed nationally to troops and veterans who’ve returned from service. This year, the public is once again invited to send cards during the Holiday season to let members of the Armed Forces know that their sacrifices are not forgotten.

The American Red Cross Central-Southeast Ohio Chapter will help distribute cards to returning veterans, those who are hospitalized locally, and those who are currently deployed far from home. Additionally, several events are planned to invite attendees to sign cards with these messages of support. They are:

Wednesday, November 13th at the Statehouse from 10am to 3pm

Tuesday, December 3rd, also at the Statehouse for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony from 5:30 – 7:30pm

Veterans who are attending the Honor Flight Reunion on 11/3 at Veterans Memorial and those at an outreach event for Wounded Warriors in Lancaster on 11/9 will also have an opportunity to sign cards for their fellow service members.

“We’re very grateful to the companies and individuals who are supporting us in this effort,” said Matt Bertram, CEO, American Red Cross Central-Southeast Ohio Region. “We want to do everything we can to accommodate the outpouring of appreciation for those who serve our country.” Special thanks go out to IGS Energy, State Farm Insurance, Giant Eagle and to Monica Morgan Whitehead, in memory of LTC Rollin E. Morgan. In Fairfield, Licking and Muskingum counties, residents are also invited to visit the office of any State Farm agent, and bring along their children if they’d like, to explain why they’re signing and sending a Holiday message to our service members.

In addition to these opportunities, the public may also sign and send cards to our troops on their own. The mailing address is:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

P.O. Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Those sending their own cards are asked to follow these guidelines:

Ensure that all cards are signed.

Use generic titles such as “Dear Service Member”.

Only cards are being accepted. Do not send or include letters.

Do not include email or home addresses on the cards.

Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos.

Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter.

For a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place them in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes.

Holiday Mail for Heroes is part of the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program. For more than 130 years, the Red Cross has provided comfort and support to troops – including the two million current members, 24 million veterans and the families who support all of them. Visit redcross.org/holidaymail for more information on Holiday Mail for Heroes.